Megan Folkerts is an exemplary example of what can be achieved when you have a passion for leadership and community development. As the senior management analyst for the city of Kerrville and downtown liaison for Main Street, she was accepted into the Leadership Kerr County program this year and has been networking with like-minded individuals and exploring the different standard pillars of the community. 

Megan heard about Leadership Kerr County a couple of years ago and was encouraged to apply. She was accepted into the program on the first application and has since been networking with other people who have like-minded interests in leadership and developing themselves. She has explored different facilities and learned about the different standard pillars of the community such as healthcare and nonprofit. She also experienced a poverty simulator to understand the struggles people face day to day. After going through the poverty simulator, she realized how privileged one is.

Megan Folkerts is an inspirational example of what can be achieved when you have a passion for leadership and community development. She grew up in Buda, between San Marcus and Austin, and got her bachelor's in business from Tarleton and Stevenville. She got her master's from Tarleton while working for the city of Bastrop. She applied for the Leadership Kerr County program after being encouraged by Drew Paxton. She has since been networking with other people who have like-minded interests in leadership and developing themselves. 

 Resources

Andrew Gay on LinkedIn

Tom Fox on LinkedIn

KAYLA is an incredible organization that provides high schoolers in Kerr County with the opportunity to develop their leadership skills and gain exposure to the inner workings of their local community through the Leadership Academy and Youth Leadership Program. Through these programs, students learn important concepts like civic engagement and budgeting, as well as develop relationships with their peers and city officials. By attending the Academy, students gain an understanding of municipal government roles and responsibilities. Meanwhile, the Youth Leadership Program educates students on the importance of local job opportunities and building meaningful relationships. With KAYLA, young people can become successful leaders in their own communities.

 Key Highlights

·       Youth Leadership in Kerrville and Kerr County

·       City Budgeting

·      Leadership Academy

·      Kerr County Youth Leadership Program

 Resources

Kayla

Are you looking for a way to develop your leadership skills and make an impact in your community? Look no further than Leadership Kerr County! This nine-month program is designed to provide leadership training and development for people in the Kerr County area. With an August 1 deadline for applications, now is the perfect time to apply.

Today’s guest is Leadership Kerr County is co-chair Zach Riffert and Andrew Gay is part of the steering committee. Zach is a financial planner with Edward Jones and has been in the Kerr County area for the past 10 years. He is passionate about making an impact in the community and is involved in several boards and committees, including PTO, United Way, and Chamber committees. 

The program is highly regarded by other leadership programs in contiguous counties, and people in the Kerr County area can ask their peers and coworkers if they have been through the program. Last year's Leadership Kerrville class was mostly women and had some amazing leaders. This year, the Chili Cook Off is changing hands and there may be some shuffling of the days. The application has been updated to ask different questions and dig deeper into why people want to participate. However, the leadership, committee, and basic structure of the class remain unchanged.

Participants in the program will learn about the community and its ins and outs. There are 8 days in the program: Education Day, Local Government Day, Trip to Austin, Government Day, Economic Day, Tourism and Travel Day, Nonprofit Day, and Retreat. Retreat is a great opportunity for team building activities and breaking down guards and is held at Mo Ranch and takes place in the third week of September. Remember the deadline for application is August 1.  

 Resources

Andrew Gay on LinkedIn

Tom Fox on LinkedIn

Leadership Kerr County-Information and Registration

Welcome to the latest episode of Investing in the Future, hosted by Tom Fox and Andrew Gay. In this episode, they sit down with Chad Portie, the front office manager at Inn of the Hills and a current participant of the Kirk County leadership class. Chad talks about how he found out about the program and how it opened his eyes to the impact of the community around him. They also discuss the eye-opening moments that Chad had during field trips, including the stigma surrounding mental health facilities and the importance of public works. The hosts also share their experience with the Disc assessment that helped them develop better relationships and improve productivity at work. 

This episode is filled with stories about personal growth, professional development, and building lasting relationships. Every segment is packed with insight, humor, and valuable takeaways. Don't miss out on this dynamic episode of Investing in the Future with Tom Fox, Andrew Gay, and special guest Chad Portie.

 Key Highlights 

·      Chad's experience in Kirk County leadership class

·      Leadership Class Experience and Eye-Opening Moments

·      The Value of DISC Assessments and Building Relationships

·      Chad’s journey to Kerrville through radio work

 Resources

Andrew Gay on LinkedIn

Tom Fox on LinkedIn

In our fifth episode, Tom and Andrew host guest Pete Calderon, Community Relations Assistant Director at Peterson Hospital. Calderon shares his passion for community service, instilled in him by his mother, and explains how he got involved in local leadership. The conversation covers the importance of sentimental inspiration, leadership programs, and the burden of leadership. Calderon also discusses the impact of the DISC assessment on developing effective leadership skills, including bonding with classmates. The podcast also highlights the benefits of the community leadership program, including networking opportunities and exposure for businesses. Don't miss out on this informative and motivating episode, hosted by Andrew Gay and Tom Fox.

 Key Highlights 

·      Meet Pete Calderon: Community Leader in Kerr County

·      Leadership Kerr County Experience

·      The Power of Personality Assessments in Building Strong Relationships

·      Leadership Kirk County program benefits for businesses 

·      Community Action for Positive Change

Resources

Andrew Gay on LinkedIn

Tom Fox on LinkedIn

In our 4th episode, we chat with Caitlin Hamilton. Caitlin is self-employed with Century 21-the Hill Realty. Caitlin began her career as a print journalist and has worked at a variety of jobs in Kerrville and in the Hill Country. She tells a fascinating tale of how her time at Leadership-Kerr County has allowed her to develop life-long friendships and relationships.  

Key Highlights 

·      Building Relationships Through Podcasting

·      The Power of Community Service

·      Water Reclamation Projects

·      Engagement

·      Caitlin's Journey as a Realtor with Century 21, The Hills Realty

Resources

Caitlin Hamilton on LinkedIn

Andrew Gay on LinkedIn

Tom Fox on LinkedIn

Century 21, the Hills Realty

In our 3rd episode, we chat with Wynita Yancy, current class participant in Leadership Kerr County. Wynita is currently the Director of Marketing and Community Relations at The Hill Country Youth Ranch just outside of Kerrville Texas. Wynita is originally from Chicago and has been here in the Texas Hill Country just over a year now and takes great pride in the impactful work she is doing here for The Hill Country Youth Ranch, the kid’s lives they serve and in our local community. 

Highlights include: 

-What led Wynita to finding and applying to Leadership Kerr County?

-As a current class participant, what has been a standout experience thus far? 

-What impact has the class had on her so far? 

-In her perspective, what’s the difference between being involved in a community like Kerr County versus a larger community where she involved previously (Chicago). 

Resources

Wynita Yancy on LinkedIn

Andrew Gay on LinkedIn

Tom Fox on LinkedIn

For information on The Hill Country Youth Ranch, go here

In our second episode, we are joined by Drew Paxton, who currently occupies one of the seats on the Leadership Kerr County Steering Committee. Drew currently works as the Director of the Planning and Development for The City of Kerrville. He was also a former class participant of Leadership Kerr County. Highlights include: 

-How did Drew find LKC and what led him to get apply to the program? 

-How has LKC shaped his view of The City of Kerrville? 

-His perspective of the Kerrville 2050 Plan. 

-What was his perspective on the future of Kerrville as The City makes the effort to invest in itself? 

Resources

Drew Paxton on LinkedIn

Andrew Gay on LinkedIn

Tom Fox on LinkedIn

For more information on Leadership Kerr County, click here. 

In our inaugural episode, we visit with Tabor McMillan, current chairman of the Leadership Kerr County Steering Committee. We discuss how his involvement in LKC and his passion for local leadership. He takes pride in living and raising his family here in the Texas Hill Country. Tabor is a local banker here in Kerr County. 

Highlights include: 

-How did he find out or hear about LKC? 

-What was his experience when he was a class participant? 

-What was involved with being a class participant? 

-How does he feel about our ability in our community to make a difference locally?

Resources

Tabor McMillan on LinkedIn

Andrew Gay on LinkedIn

Tom Fox on LinkedIn

For more information on Leadership Kerr County, click here.